I include this early history because, unlike children born in New York City, I knew the freedom of tearing down a back lane with other kids; of selling lemonade out in front of my house, and just having the run of a safe and watchful neighborhood, complete with backyards, trees, piles of fallen leaves, pumpkins on doorsteps and banks of snow.  

Making adjustments in reverse was not so easy, as I found out when I decided, on a whim, to attend boarding school at Havergal,  in Toronto, for tenth grade; and again when I went off to college in London, Ontario.  I hated both experiences and was not expected to stay where I was not happy.  In my first attempt at becoming Canadian again, I simply returned to New York, where the Hewitt School welcomed me back with open arms.  The college thing was a little more complicated, but I had been accepted into New York University and it was just a matter of ensuring they would still honor my acceptance.  And they did.  I graduated from NYU in 1995 with a degree in Graphic Communications Technology.  Having fulfilled all the requirements to become "well educated" had one primary advantage -- a resumé that opens the door to a job that pays enough to put a roof over my head - a difficult thing to accomplish in a city like New York.   I sometimes fantasize about the size of house I could have if I moved to another city.  

My career, thus far, has been within the corporate environment of the fashion industry, in the fields of art direction and marketing.  I work extremely hard and love what I do.  I also realize I am young enough to shift my goals around and pursue something entirely different and more meaningful, if I choose.  There are other options.  Some, more worthwhile than others.        continue